Models Covered

4dr saloon / 5dr estate (1.6 diesel, 2.0 diesel / 1.6 petrol, 2.0 petrol, 3.0 V6 petrol / 4.0 V8 petrol)

Introduction

You may think you know this ‘W205’-series fourth generation Mercedes C-Class – but if you haven’t tried one featuring all the changes made as part of this model’s far-reaching 2018-era mid-term update, you probably don’t. What was needed here was a completely rejuvenated engine range –and that’s what we got, along with improved safety and connectivity. If you’re looking for a MK4 C-Class on the used market, then try and seek out one of these later versions.

The History

For years, Mercedes has talked about ‘democratising luxury’ and more than any other car the company makes, it’s their C-Class model that’s tried hardest to epitomise that approach. In the past in its earlier forms, this contender has sometimes rather struggled with the whole idea of delivering elements of ‘S-Class’-style opulence in a more compact form, but this MK4 ‘W205’-series design did better in meeting this challenging brief. Here, we’re going to look at the much improved version launched in the Spring of 2018.

By 2018, over 9.5 million C-Classes had been sold since the original first generation ‘W202’-series version was launched in 1993, with sleeker ‘W203’ and ‘W204’ second and third generation designs following in 2000 and 2007, before this ‘W205’-series fourth generation car first arrived in 2014.

By 2018, the C-Class didn’t have to be the cheapest saloon Mercedes made – that role in the range was by then occupied by a four-door version of the front-driven A-Class – so there was by the time of this facelifted MK4 model’s introduction a little more scope for this car to include pricier technology. And with this revised MK4 model, there was plenty of that as part of what the company told us was the most extensive update in the history of this model. Over 6,500 parts were changed – half of the car’s complete tally – to make sure that it could be a more complete rival for revitalised versions of its ‘D’-segment premium competitors.

Mercedes knew it had to substantially improve the available engine range, so that’s where much of the effort was directed as part of this fourth generation model’s mid-life package of changes. The diesel variants got the vastly improved 2.0-litre unit and in addition, the mild hybrid 48V technology filtered its way into this car, transforming the power and efficiency proposition of the mid-range C200 petrol model. There were also plug-in petrol and diesel units too – and updates to the top AMG performance models. Across the range, C-Class buyers also got smarter looks, upgraded cabin infotainment technology, extra safety kit and fresh elements of autonomous driving tech. The C-Class sold until an all-new fifth generation model arrived in the Spring of 2021.

What You Get

From a casual glance, you certainly won’t appreciate the vast scope of this MK4 model’s mid-term update. Indeed initially, you might struggle to see that anything’s changed at all from the original 2014-era version of this ‘W205’-series C-Class design. At which point your seller will draw your attention to this updated car’s revised bumper with its wider central lower air intake. Go for a car with the ‘AMG Line’ level of trim and the corner inlets get twin black strakes on either side, along with a ‘Diamond’-style radiator grille that incorporates shiny chromed pins.

You’d expect the interior to really sell you on a premium model at this price point – and this one doesn’t disappoint. The smart silvered vents, the classy compartmentalised centre console, the elegant analogue clock. It’s really not that far from here to an S-Class.

The boot in the saloon model is usually 455-litres in size, but that figure falls to 435-litres in the C200 thanks to the mild hybrid EQ Boost hardware. Choose a C-Class estate and the boot capacity is normally 460-litres (or 440-litres in a C200 variant).

What To Look For

We found plenty of satisfied C-Class customers, but also a few rogue examples. Check that all the electrical items work and that the air conditioner is effective. Make sure the transmission works smoothly and that there are no suspension rattles. The engine should pull smoothly and the auto kickdown should be effective. Insist on a full Mercedes dealer service history, especially for the most recent models whose lengthy warranty - effectively for the life of the car - is dependent on proper servicing by an authorised agent. Check that all the accessories work and watch out for cosmetic damage which can be expensive to correct. These are popular family cars, so check for wear and tear in the rear. Also look for the usual signs of wheel kerbing and poorly repaired accident damage.

On The Road

The cutting-edge engine technology that was so notably missing from the original version of this ‘W205’-series fourth generation C-Class design was very much in evidence in this much improved car. The key changes related to the two volume variants. The C200 petrol model we’d recommend got the brand’s latest 48-volt mild hybrid ‘EQ Boost’ technology. And the C220d best selling derivative at last ditched its long-standing 2.1-litre diesel in favour of the far cleaner, quieter and more sophisticated 2.0-litre ‘OM654’-series powerplant. In a ‘C’, this unit was capable of up to 61.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 117g/km of CO2. All the main C-Class variants come fitted with a smooth auto transmission, a ‘9G-TRONIC PLUS’ 9-speed ‘box which replaced the 7-speeder fitted across the range at the original launch.

As with the original version of this design, the saloon and estate C-Class line-up we’re looking at here kicked off with a couple of 1.6-litre models, the petrol C180 and the diesel C200d, these being the only variants in the line-up available with manual transmission, both of which could from the showroom be ordered with optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive on request. If these versions of this car aren’t powerful enough for you, there are the C300 petrol and C300d diesel derivatives. Then come the C300e and C300de Plugin models, and finally there are the rip-snorting Mercedes-AMG high performance street racers, the V6 C 43 4MATIC and the rear-driven V8-powered C 63 variants.

Overall

In summary, the 2018-era model update gives used buyers a reason to give this fourth generation C-Class a second look. It used to be easy to pigeonhole buyers amongst the three main protagonists in this sector; a 3 Series for the driving enthusiast, an A4 for the technophile and a C-Class as a compromise badge-equity choice. In this form, this Mercedes is now a great deal more than that. It blurs those boundaries. And makes your choice in this segment just that little bit more pleasantly difficult.